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We aimed to evaluate CT guided biopsy (CTGB) vs. standard closed pleural biopsy (CPB) in the histopathological diagnosis of the type of malignancy in patients with malignant pleural effusion.

We studied 31 patients (21 male and 10 female) with malignant pleural effusion diagnosed by aspiration cytology and admitted to the medical ward of a general teaching hospital over a period of 1 year. Patients were randomized into two groups: group 1 (n = 16) underwent CTGB biopsy and group 2 (n = 15) underwent Abram’s CPB. The diagnostic yield of both methods was compared.

The mean age of patients was 54 ± 16 years. History of smoking was obtained in 15 (48.4%) patients. Dyspnea was reported in 22 (71%) and chest pain in 15 (48.4%). Malignant pleural effusion was left-sided in 17 (54.8%), and massive in 21 (67.7%) patients. Of note, CT imaging revealed parietal pleura …